FAQs

Here's a handy guide to the questions we get asked the most. Consider it your Garage Sale Trail 101.

What is it all about?

Garage Sale Trail is the nation’s biggest weekend of garage sales. An estimated 400,000 Australians will get involved this year either by selling their pre-loved stuff at a garage sale or shopping the Trail for bargains and unique finds.

Made possible by the councils of Australia, it’s all about how the small actions we each take as individuals can make a big difference to our communities and our planet. After all, one garage sale on its own doesn't make that much difference but get 15,000 happening over the one weekend and KAPOW!

Last year over 4 million kilograms of pre-loved items were sold, from kids toys to clothes, furniture and antique tea sets. You name it, you can find it on the Trail.

Join the movement by hosting a sale or shopping the Trail on October 19 & 20.

When is it all happening?

Garage Sale Trail happens on one weekend of the year. This year, it’s on Saturday 19 & Sunday 21 October 2019.

Having all the action on one weekend makes it an extra special celebration of reuse, with over 2 million items going up for sale and a predicted 400,000 Australians getting involved.

Who is it for?

It’s for everybody. Households, community groups, charities, schools, even whole streets get involved! It’s also a great event for makers and creators to showcase their wares and for good causes to raise a quid or two to support their work.

WHAT EVENTS ARE HAPPENING LOCALLY?

From September, you will be able to search for garage sales happening near you using our national map and create a list of favourites to visit over the weekend.

WHAT HAPPENS IF IT RAINS?

To coin a popular phrase “the show must go on!” Rain, hail or shine Garage Sale Trail goes ahead. Keep your eyes peeled on our social media platforms for a weather updates nearer the time and maybe consider a Plan B – it could be a simple as moving into the garage in the event of rain or swapping the day of your sale from Saturday to Sunday.

You can edit any of the details of your sale at any time. You'll find more information about how to edit your sale on our blog.

I can't log in or register, can you help?

Yes, we can! If you re experiencing any difficulties in logging in or setting up your Garage Sale, just contact us and we'll get it all sorted for you.

How much does it cost to participate?

It’s free to participate thanks to the support of local councils around the country as well as a handful of like-minded organisations like Gumtree and Storage King who like us are committed to reducing waste and making our communities happier and more connected.

Do I have to be involved on both Saturday & Sunday?

Not at all. You can host a sale, or shop the Trail, on Saturday 19 or Sunday 20 October, or do both.

Who keeps the money raised from the day?

It’s totally up to you what you do with the money raised. Some sellers keep the proceeds, others choose to fundraise for a charity, local community group or cause. On average, households make just over $350 on the day. Schools and community groups over $1,500.

What can I buy or sell on the Trail?

With over 2 million items going up for sale every year, you can find pretty much anything on the Trail. We’ve seen everything from rocket powered jet packs to llamas, apartments, a lifetime collection of Stars Wars memorabilia and even two grandpas who were listed for cups of tea and biscuits.

In the name of reuse, it's all about secondhand, from pre-loved furniture, kids toys and books to clothing, vinyl, knick knacks and more. All we ask is that you keep it clean and legal!

When’s the best time to host your garage sale?

Most garage sales run from 9am – 1pm.

Do I have to host my sale at home?

Not necessarily but it you’re looking to host your sale elsewhere, be sure to get the necessary permissions from the landowner or your local council and always have your own safety in mind. There are some places garage sales just shouldn’t be. Like roundabouts, or footpaths, or inside an actual swimming pool.

Why is this any different to organising a garage sale on another weekend of the year?

Garage Sale Trail is Australia’s biggest reuse and community event. If you participate, you'll join 400,000 Australians nation wide. For first time garage salers we make it easy by providing tools, tips and a highly trafficked website (2-million views!). In 2018 the average household sale sold 90 items, made $309 and met 46 local people.

I’m in! How do I sign up?

Registrations open on 10 August 2019, so save the date in your diary now.

Setting up your sale listing should take no more than five minutes of your time and once completed you’ll get access to promotional materials including posters, bunting, animations and more, created to help make your sale a rip-roaring success. Get creative with your sale name and what you’re offering at your sale – think special guests, music, entertainment and free giveaways.

And fear not, if things change, you can edit your sale at any time, simply by logging in to your Garage Sale Trail account.

I can’t host a sale at home. Can I still be involved?

Sure thing. Many area shave group sales you can join as a stallholder, and bring along a suitcase / table / car load of stuff to sell. Be sure to contact the organiser and request to join the sale as soon as possible using the JOIN SALE button on their sale page so you don’t miss out.

Can I sell food at my sale?

We love a good feed here at Garage Sale Trail and there is almost nothing better than enjoying a freshly baked scone with your newly purchased pre-loved jumpsuit / dog figurine / handbag. But if you’re planning on selling food, you’ll need to have the necessary food hygiene and safety certificates so speak to your local council if that’s what you have planned.

Looking for a cheeky workaround? Offer food for free instead and consider turning your home baking into a money-making incentive e.g. one free cake with every purchase over $5.

IS MY council participating and why does that matter anyway?

Your local council is where the Garage Sale Trail magic starts! 148 councils and regional waste groups around the country make Garage Sale Trail possible. Find out if your council is one of them and be sure to say thanks. Garage Sale Trail couldn’t happen without them.

If your council is not involved, you’d better get in quick as we only have a maximum of 10 garage sale spots available in these areas, and they fill up fast. Contact us if you’d like to help us get your council on the Trail.

Will I get a printed seller pack?

We provide a printed seller success pack to the first 1,250 sellers who register and who live in a participating council area. These were all taken up be sellers who registered in August.

If you’re a little later to the party (i.e. registered seller # 1,251 or above), we’ve got you covered too with free promotional materials including posters, bunting, price tags and more available to download from the website. Unlock these materials by listing your sale when registrations open on 10 August.

What happens if I don’t sell everything?

Experience tells us that while a garage sale is a great way to shift lots of things you no longer need or want, you will have some stuff still left over at the end. We and the fantastic folk at Gumtree, Australia’s local marketplace, are here to help. List your items on Gumtree here.

And remember, leaving items on your street or outside a charity donation point after the Garage Sale Trail, or at any time, is illegal and seriously uncool. It makes an eyesore of our beautiful communities and costs charities millions each year in clean up fees.

Who organises Garage Sale Trail?

Garage Sale Trail is run by Australian not for profit social enterprise, Garage Sale Trail Foundation, in partnership with the councils of Australia.

If you’re still searching for the answer, contact us and we’ll be back in touch in a jiffy.

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